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17 Dec 2002
Further evidence that climate change is already hitting Britain was revealed today when the Met Office announced that 2002 has been one of the warmest in Britain since records began [1]. And worldwide, this year has been the second hottest on record, the World Meterological Organisation announced.
Roger Higman, Climate Change Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:
"Today’s figures are further evidence that man-made pollution is causing massive changes to the atmosphere and affecting our climate. If we do not take action, increasingly frequent and severe storms, droughts and floods are likely to threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions of people throughout the globe, including here in Britain.
Despite this mounting evidence, US President George Bush, and companies such as Esso still refuse to act. Tony Blair must re-double his efforts to persuade the US administration to accept the Kyoto Protocol, the only treaty that will cut the emissions causing the problem. And motorists in the UK can also help by refusing to buy from Esso."
The USA represents four per cent of the world’s population, but emits twenty five per cent of climate-changing emissions.
[1] 2002 is the fourth warmest year on record in Britain. Only 1949, 1990 and 1999 were warmer.
Contact details:
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html
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